Flax Planting Responses
Flax Planting Responses
Seeding Rates: NDSU Ext. Circ. 1038 entitled "Flax Production in North Dakota" suggests flax seeding rates of 20 to 45 lbs. per acre. Lower rates of 20-30 lbs/A in the west and 35-45 lbs/A in the eastern high rainfall areas. Flax seedling stands may sometimes be poor due to dry soils, deep seeding, soil crusting, herbicide injury or other factors. Results below show that higher yields can result from lower seeding rates and also result in less lodging in lodge prone environments.
| Planting Rate |
Environments |
Lodging |
|
|
Non-Lodged |
Lodged |
||
|
lbs/a |
---------Yield (bu/a)--------- |
0 to 9 |
|
20 |
23.1 |
27.2 |
1.6 |
30 |
25.1 |
27.5 |
1.9 |
40 |
25.6 |
23.6 |
4.8 |
50 |
26.7 |
25.0 |
4.4 |
60 |
27.1 |
23.0 |
4.3 |
LSD 5% |
1.2 |
NS |
2.4 |
3 yrs.- 1986-88, Langdon, Cavalier and Tolna, ND
Lodging Scores: 0=no lodging 9=flat
How late can flax be planted and still get fairly good yields? Below are research results from flax seeding date studies conducted over 9 years at the North Central Research Extension Center at Minot, ND.
Flax Seeding - Minot, ND
| Seeding period | Average* Yield bu/A |
% Early seeded date |
| 1st (Early-May) |
24 |
100 |
| 2nd (Mid-May) |
22 |
93 |
| 3rd (Late-May) |
18 |
79 |
| 4th (Early-June) |
16 |
68 |
| 5th (Mid-June) |
11 |
48 |
| 6th (Late-June) |
4 |
16 |
Early June planted flax was 8 bu/A less than early May planted flax. These data suggest that all flax should be planted between late April to May 15 to ensure maximum yield potential. Good seedbed preparation, adequate shallow seed placement to moisture, weed control and fertility management also will contribute to high flax yields. Yield goals of 30+ bu/A are not unrealistic for well managed flax production
